Integrated power source layered with thin film rechargeable batteries, charger, and charge-control

ABSTRACT

A self-contained, small, lightweight, portable, renewable, modular integrated power source. The power source consists of a recharging means such as solar cells that are laminated onto a rechargeable energy source such as a solid state polymer battery which in turn is laminated onto a substrate containing circuits which manage the polymer battery charging. Charging of the battery can occur via solar energy or, alternatively, via RF coupling using external RF charging equipment or a hand held generator. For added support, the integrated power source is then bonded to an applications housing or structure. This integrated power source can independently power the electronic application. It can also serve as casing or housing by taking the shape of the application enclosure.

This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.08/632,969, filed Apr. 16, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,644,207, issuedJul. 1, 1997, which claimed the benefit of provisional application No.60/008,478, filed Dec. 11, 1995.

STATEMENT OF GOVERNMENTAL INTEREST

The Government has rights in this invention pursuant to Contract No.FA8002-96-C-0301 awarded by the Department of the Air Force.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to power supplies and, particularly, to asmall, lightweight, portable, rechargeable and modular integrated powersource of the solar cell variety.

2. Description of the Prior Art

With the ever expanding use of the conventional battery in many types ofequipment which rely on batteries for electrical power, the advantagesof a portable, renewable, self-contained power source which isintegrated within applications are self-evident, especially if duringactual delivery of current the changing of depleted battery cells iseliminated. A power-on-demand capability, where maintenance can be heldto a minimum, is extremely attractive when supplying power to emergencycommunication equipment. Never having to replace batteries, for example,in walkie-talkie radios, modular cellular telephones, pagers, radios,data recording devices and other hand-held portable equipment, offersmoney-saving operations and consequently a lower cost. With the adventof environmentally friendly, form malleable polymer battery, technologynow exists to design and develop self-contained, energy-renewable powersources for all types of portable applications.

One prior art power source battery is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.3,005,862 wherein a solar battery can have its elements shaped or curvedto desired configurations. In one embodiment, the solar panel itself canform a wall of a satellite. The preferred material of which thepanelling is made is aluminum, although other materials such asstainless steel, beryllium, magnesium, or titanium, or even plastic maybe reduced to its essential elements. U.S. Pat. No. '862 merelydemonstrates another way for mounting a solar battery.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,180,645 carries the principles of U.S. Pat. No. '862 onestep further by recognizing the importance of providing an integratedbattery into or part of an equipment housing. U.S. Pat. No. '645 isprimarily directed, however, to a battery formed of first and secondcurrent collectors separated by a solid state electrolyte. FIG. 2 ofU.S. Pat. No. '645 shows such a battery embedded in a radio housing withthe traditional role of the housing as a separate element intact.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the invention of a self-contained, energy renewablepower source, recent advances in technology have centered on thefollowing achievements:

1. Improved performance and stability of polymer anode and cathodematerials such as polypyrrole through improved electrolytic dryingprocedures and processing conditions.

2. Incorporated solid polymer electrolytes in prototype all-polymerbatteries and modified solvents used in preparation of electrolytes suchas polyacrylonitrile to achieve improved electrolyte performance.

3. Expanded class of solids used as polymer anodes and cathodes toinclude promising candidate materials including redox-couple substitutedthiophenes to achieve higher cell potentials and stability.

The recent developments, moreover, in polymer batteries now provide atechnology in which a battery can be integrated within the mechanicalsupporting structure for an application circuit. No longer willconventional restraints require a battery as a separate add-on componentthereby dispensing with the need for a separate battery compartment andthe cables historically necessary to connect the power source to theelectronic components. The invention further considers the developmentof a novel and unique integration of a polymer battery coupled withminiaturized integrated electronics. With the ability to take on a shapemalleable to a particular application, an environmentally friendlypolymer battery can potentially incorporate solar cells, SRAMS, DRAMSand IC's to provide power source and nonvolatile memory data collectionand storage. In one preferred application, solar cells backed with athin film polymer battery at the component level can supply aself-contained, lightweight, and fully integrated and energy renewablepower source. Beyond the chip level, polymer batteries can beincorporated into devices as the mechanical backing and structures formulti-layer printed circuit board technology. In its most general sense,the nature of polymer battery technology is such that a chassis orhousing can be molded into a desired shape using the battery materialitself and still incorporate a power source for the intendedapplication.

Many of the above advantages can also be obtained by combining the powermanagement means of the invention with other types of batteries, e.g.,lithium-ion, or with fuel cells such as hydrogen-oxygen ormethane-oxygen.

The invention also comprises a method for assembling an integrated powersource, the integrated power source comprising a rechargeable energysource, power management means and means for recharging the energysource, arranged in layers, the method comprising the steps of:

laminating the layers together to form a laminate structure such thatexternal electrical interconnections are minimized; the laminatestructure is resilient to vibration, shock, humidity and moisture; andthermal paths within the laminate structure are specified for thermalcontrol; and

sealing the laminate structure within an hermetically sealed enclosure.

An additional step in the method of the invention comprises, before thelaminating step, the step of inserting a layer of a structural compositebetween the other layers comprising the integrated power source.

Accordingly, an object of the invention is to assemble a polymer batteryas the structural casing of an electronic unit so that interconnectingwires between the battery, a charging unit, and a regulating circuit areeliminated.

Another object of the invention is a power source consisting of solarcells, RF charging unit or microwave energy charging means which areintegrated structurally with a polymer battery.

Yet another object of the invention is the integration of a polymerbattery as the principal structural element in the formation of asolar-powered electronic unit.

A further object of the invention is an implementation for integratedpower management electronics offering voltage regulation, under/overvoltage control, under/over current control and polymer battery chargingcontrol utilizing polymer and other semiconductor circuitry.

Still another object of the invention is an integrated power sourcestacked on top of the integrated power management circuit layer whichincorporate additional applications circuitry such as SRAM (staticrandom access memory), DRAM's (dynamic random access memory) for datastorage purposes.

Yet another object of the invention is to laminate an integratedapplications electronics layer onto the integrated power source therebyimplementing miniaturization beyond the volumetric reduction gained byhousing an applications board within an integrated power sourceenclosure.

Another object is a power source which combines on a layered p or n-doped polymer substrate resistive, capacitive components, semiconductorslaminate layer on to another layer consisting of the solid polymerbattery, all integrated onto a base material to provide a structuralshell for an electronics unit.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent tothose skilled in the art in the course of the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows one form of the integrated power source embodying theinvention.

FIG. 2 shows the integrated power source of FIG. 1 but depicting theindividual laminations and their structural relationship to each other.

FIGS. 3(a)-3(d) shows the integrated power source of the invention asapplied to a conventional cordless telephone system.

FIG. 4 shows an application of the integrated power source of theinvention to a vehicle such as a passenger automobile.

FIG. 5 shows an application of the integrated power source of theinvention to a lap top computer.

FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 show, respectively, applications of the integratedpower source of the invention to an emergency sun shield messagecommunication wireless panel, a residential or commercial structure suchas a building or the like, and highway signs.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along the lines IX—IX of FIG. 8, bothsigns pictured being represented.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a circuit which carries out the operationof the integrated power source of the invention.

FIG. 11 is a cross section of multiple laminations showing an alternateembodiment of the integrated power source of the invention.

FIG. 12 is an exploded view of several components which form part of theintegrated power source embodying the invention.

FIG. 13 is a partial cross section of the view in FIG. 12 to highlightthe layered construction of the invention.

The same reference characters refer to the same elements throughout theseveral views.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to FIG. 1, an integrated power source is indicatedgenerally by the reference numeral 10 and includes as one of itscomponents an essentially flat, planar and malleable polymer battery 12which offers structural support for a plurality of electronic componentsof eclectic choice. Instead of a polymer battery other rechargeableenergy sources that can be used in the invention include other types ofbatteries, e.g., lithium-ion, or fuel cells such as hydrogen-oxygen ormethane-oxygen. Battery 12 may be any one of a number of solid statepolymer batteries which have existed in the art for several years. Onetype of polymer battery believed to be appropriate for use in connectionwith the device illustrated in FIG. 1 is described and claimed in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 08/527,598 entitled “A Completely PolymericCharge Storage Device and Method for Producing Same”, filed Sep. 15,1995, and assigned to the assignee of the instant application. It willthus be understood that battery 12 will comprise in a preferred form anionically conducting gel polymer electrolyte layer separating opposingsurfaces of electronically conducting conjugated polymeric anode andcathode elements supported on a lightweight porous substrate.Symbolically in FIG. 1, the electrical function of battery 12 isrepresented by the conventional symbol 14. Battery 12 thus will beunderstood to comprise the main power source which will power the stackand the applications load.

Other components selected for incorporation into the integrated powersource of FIG. 1 include the following elements: a solar energy system15 which comprises an array of conventional solar cells two of which 18and 20 are shown connected by diodes 22 and 24, respectively, to abattery charge regulator 26, an optional battery life indicator 28, anRF charging circuit 30 connected between coil 31 and diode 33, and aninternal applications load shown as consisting of a resistor 32. Therepresentative solar cells 18 and 20 can be in rigid form or flexibleform depending on the application requirement. As will be appreciated,solar energy system 15 converts solar energy to electrical energy andtypically would be expected to deliver electrical current to a battery,such as the battery 14.

The actual physical characteristics of integrated power source 10 maybest be appreciated by reference to FIG. 2. The polymer battery 12, thesolar cells 18 and 20, and the polymer semiconductor circuitry 17comprising the regulator 26, the indicator 28, charging circuit 30, andapplications load resistor 32 have previously been discussed inconnection with the device shown in FIG. 1. Capping the device in directabutting relationship with one side of the solar cells is a protectivecover 34 transparent to solar radiation and having the primary functionof protecting the solar cells from physical damage. Cover 34 mayadvantageously incorporate if desired an infrared filter in an effort toreduce to a minimum heat buildup in the integrated power source causedby infrared heating. Supporting the integrated power source 10 and indirect abutting relationship with one side of the polymer semiconductorcircuitry 17 is a base structure material 36. The base material adds anoptional foundation for supporting integrated power source 10 and ithas, if desired, such optional uses as electrical isolation, electricalgrounding, and antenna for the stack when required. Base material 36equally can be a separate layer or be integrated with the layers aboveit.

From the description of the invention to this point, it will beappreciated that the integrated power source embodying the inventionresults in a self-contained, thin, lightweight, modular, easilyportable, and renewable source of power with diverse application in suchfields as telecommunications equipment, portable tools, portable PC's,vehicles, crafts, spacecraft, consumer electronics and toys. It will beevident that no separate enclosure or battery compartment is requiredsince the source of electrical current readily is fed to polymer battery12 from solar energy system 15. The capacitance, resistors, diodes andother electronic components are placed on the polymer substrate, or madepart of the substrate to implement the charging circuit of battery 12.Alternatively, the electronics components layer may be implemented byother technologies such as by adopting chip-on-board techniques. Thatis, interconnections can be expected to be traces on the substratebetween the solar cells, charging circuits and battery 12 for electricalpower flow between them. Being highly malleable, the integrated powersource 10 has the ability to be adapted to multiple configurations thusbeing able to take the shape of any desired application housing. It thushas the flexibility to be molded across structural members likespacecraft tubing, spacecraft (such as side to bottom) panels, solarpanels, spacecraft linkages, and propellant tanks. With prudentutilization, and periodic access to solar radiation, power exhaustion inall likelihood should never occur.

Referring now to FIG. 3(a), the integrated power source 10 is shownapplied to a hand-held transceiver, generally designated 38, of aconventional cordless telephone system. In the side view of transceiver38 as shown in FIG. 3(a), the transceiver incorporates protective cover34, solar cells 18 and 20 layered under the cover, and polymer battery12 not only shaped or molded to conform to the design of transceiver 38but completely enveloping the transceiver except, as shown in front andback views 3(b) and 3(c), for necessary perforations which accommodatean antenna 40, viewing screen 42, and conventional push buttons 44. Fromthe foregoing description, it will be understood that the mottled areas12 as they appear in FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b) represent the polymer battery12 as a flexible polymer material that is either n or p-dopedfunctioning either as cathode or anode material with the solar cellsconverting photons into charge carriers in the doped polymer materialwhich will give rise to an electrical current. The casing of transceiver38, in the example given, thus will be composed of the entire integratedpower source itself, thereby dispensing with any underlying structuralframe and disposing entirely of battery compartment or enclosureroutinely encountered in contemporary and conventional remotecommunication systems.

The advantageous features of the invention described hereinabove thusappear in the assembly of a polymer battery which not only providessolar-converted electrical energy to an electronic unit butsimultaneously serves as the structural casing or core of the electronicunit itself. Typical conventional interconnecting wires extendingbetween the battery, a charging circuit, and a regulating circuit can beentirely eliminated since the present invention anticipates that polymersemiconductor circuitry 17 will consist of integrated circuits, discretedevices, memory devices, which in conjunction with the polymer batterypowers an application load. By integrating a flexible and malleablepolymer battery as the principal structural shell of a solar-poweredelectronic unit, power should never run out with prudent utilization,battery replacement per se becomes a thing of the past, and theresulting reduction in weight and volume effect important economicsavings in application packaging design.

Considering FIG. 3(d) in detail, an alternative source of power to solarradiation is provided by an RF charging cradle 46 which is connected bymeans of a conventional power cord 48 to a 110-120 v outlet (not shown).In operation, therefore, the choice exists of charging polymer battery12 via either the RF charging circuitry through inductive coupling ofenergy from the charging cradle 46, noninvasively via coupling coil 31which is integrated on the polymer battery, or by current output whenthe solar cells are exposed to solar radiation.

Turning now to a discussion of FIG. 4, the integrated power source 10 ofFIG. 1 is laminated onto the structure of an automobile 50 for providingcontinuous power renewal during times when the vehicle is under exposureto solar radiation.

In FIG. 5, the integrated power source is shown applied to a lap topelectronics unit 52 which incorporates polymer battery 12 as the shellor casing, thus eliminating the additional bulk of the batterycompartment conventionally imposed by prior art structural enclosures tosupport the display panel and operating controls.

In the device shown in FIG. 6, a sun shield panel 60 is shown mounted onthe rear window 62 of a vehicle 64. The polymer battery 12, solar cells18-20, and various charging circuits are represented by the mottled areashown covering the window 62. Through the use of an integrated wirelesstransmitter and light emitting diodes (not shown) the panel 60 mayprovide emergency communication wireless calls for assistance and also alighted display of messages in darkness and thereby transmit customizedelectronic distress signals regardless of lighting conditions. For thisto occur, it will be appreciated that the panel will absorb light energyduring the day to charge up the panel battery which can provide powerduring extended periods of darkness.

Considering now FIG. 7, the integrated power source 10 of FIG. 1 isapplied to cover the roof 66 of a building 68 such as a dwelling,factory or the like. The integrated power source 10, of course, as shownin the inset, includes cover 34, solar cells 18-20, polymer battery 12,the polymer semiconductor circuitry 17, all mounted on the basestructure material provided by the building 68. The roof top design,with proper industrial sizing and planning, anticipates obviating theneed for a utility company power hook up in remote areas. Other benefitsof the roof top incorporation of the integrated power source of thepresent invention include its use as an auxiliary power source forenergy saving.

In the application of the invention embodiment shown in FIG. 8, signs 72and 74 are supported by a roadside support 76 having posts 78 and 80anchored to the ground and are equipped to deliver commandableelectronic directional and or highway-related messages to vehiclespassing in the vicinity of the signs. Rather than illuminate the signsduring darkness by conventional means such as alternating current orstandby emergency battery power, signs 72 and 74 both incorporate theintegrated power source 10 described earlier in connection with FIGS.4-7. Accordingly, it will be understood from an examination of FIG. 9that each sign 72 and 74 has a construction which not only is inaccordance with the invention, but has been described in detail inconnection with the operation given for the embodiment shown in FIG. 2.Also, the integrated power source can be utilized to power remotelyplaced sensor and communications equipment in support of futureintelligent highways.

The integrated power source of the present invention can also bedesigned to operate with a memory storage devices made up of optionaldynamic random access memory (DRAM) and static random access memory(SRAM) that can be programmed for long term data retention which resultsin nonvolatility of the stored data. In addition to the two methods forcharging the battery 12 described hereinabove, the present inventionoffers a third method utilizing a manually operated electricalgenerating charging device under emergency conditions such as might beencountered by prolonged periods of darkness or the absence ofconventional wall outlet power. An integrated power source containingthese features is shown in the block diagram of FIG. 10.

As shown in FIG. 10, a rechargeable battery 81 of the polymer typehereinabove described is under the control of a micro-controllergenerally designated 82 which contains conventional battery charging,discharging, and regulating circuits to accommodate a range of voltageoutputs whose selection is based on the voltage demands of the system.Optionally, but not shown, micro-controller 82 may in addition containcircuitry well known in the art for protecting battery 81 against thedamage from inadvertent reverse polarity. That is, the reverse polaritycircuit may consist of semiconductors such as diodes which preventdamage to the circuit when the rechargeable battery is inadvertentlyconnected in such a way that the positive and negative terminals areinterchanged. Application electronics 84 may be considered to be theequivalent of the polymer semi-conductor circuitry 17 described inconnection with the several applications shown in FIGS. 4-9. Likewise,battery charge state display 86 is the equivalent of the battery lifeindicator 28 shown in FIG. 1 and the solar cells 88 and inductioncharger 90 have also been described in depth in connection with FIGS. 1and 3, respectively. Selection of the source of the current to bedelivered to battery 81 is under the control of auto select chargingunit 92 having a third input from miniature generator 94. Auto selectcharging unit 92 may be internally configured to accept electricalcurrent for charging battery 81 from any one of the three sources, orfrom all three simultaneously. Generator 94 may assume various formswell known to those skilled in the art but, in the embodiment shown inFIG. 10, one form of miniature generator can be a hand-held generatorthat consists of a motor, a gear assembly, a flywheel, a one-way clutchand an input motion trigger. Movement of the input trigger will generatean amplified circular motion of the motor shaft through the gearassembly. When the motor shaft turns, it will generate a magnetic fieldthrough the motor coils. This magnetic field will then provide apotential voltage and current at the motor terminals that can be usedfor charging of the battery. The input motion can be a linear or acircular motion. A DRAMS/SRAMS memory module 96 optionally may beconnected to battery 81 to store in digital form data concerning variousoperational characteristics of battery 81. Operational characteristicsof the applications circuitry and data gathered from the applicationscircuit can also be stored in the nonvolatile memory.

FIG. 11 shows another and somewhat more extensive arrangement of theintegrated power source of the present invention which offers greaterresistance to mechanical impact and protects against abrupt changes inatmospheric pressure. Referring now to FIG. 11, the integrated powersource is made up of multiple layers of laminations arranged in apredetermined order inside to outside beginning with a battery chargestate display 98 and ending with a protective transparent cover 100.Next of the electronic components in the order shown between the twoouter laminations are optional DRAMS/SRAMS memory module 102,rechargeable battery 104, battery electronics 106, and an array of solarcells 108. Sandwiched between the solar cells 108 and batteryelectronics 106, between battery electronics 106 and battery 104,between battery 104 and optional DRAMS/SRAMS memory module 102, andbetween optimal DRAMS/SRAMS memory module 102 and battery charge statedisplay 98 are layers of structural composite 110. The presence of thestructural composite layers 110 contributes to the overall rigidity ofthe integrated power source thus making it less vulnerable to mechanicalimpact and sudden pressure decompression especially in thoseapplications where the integrated power source serves as the housingstructure of an operational device. It will be appreciated, of course,that the number of the composite layers 110 may be reduced, or thenumber kept the same and their thickness made a matter of adjustment,until the optimum value of structural rigidity of the integrated powersource has been attained.

Referring now to FIG. 12, the exploded view of several components whichform the basis of the integrated power source embodying the inventionwill now be described. As shown, a plurality of polymer cells 111representing the battery 12 of FIG. 1 consist as described hereinaboveof an all polymer anode and cathode and a conductive polymerelectrolyte. These cells will generally be placed on a plastic substrate(not shown) and have been found to create a potential difference ofapproximately 2.5 volts. The polymer cells may be arranged in serieswith other cells where higher potential differences are necessary orarranged in parallel with each other when a larger current must besupplied. The polymer cells 111, in the arrangement shown in FIG. 12,are sandwiched between a plurality of solar cells 112 for the conversionof solar energy into electrical current and a charge management system,generally indicated 114, whose main component, a flexible circuit board116, acts as the support for a plurality of chip-on-board components118. The charge state of the polymer cells may be monitored by thecharge management system.

The charge management system 114 encompasses the use of chip-on-boardcomponents 116 which function as a system for regulating, monitoring,and controlling the charge applied to polymer cells 111. System 114 mayalso function as a diagnostic tool for indicating the state of chargeand the rate of charge on polymer cells 111. As will.therefore beappreciated, by internal connections conveniently made at the time ofmanufacture, the voltage output of the polymer cells 111 may be made tovary from 2.5 volt (one cell) to η times 2.5 volts. It further will beunderstood that the cells 111 may be switched from a series to aparallel arrangement when necessary to obtain higher discharge currentat a constant voltage.

Referring now to FIG. 13, its principal value lies in furthering anunderstanding of the outstanding flexibility and malleableness of theintegrated power source of the invention. In the form shown,chip-on-board components 118 are affixed to and supported by astructural polymer layer 120. Sandwiched between a solar cell layer 122and the charge management system 114 are a plurality of polymer cellseach represented in FIG. 13 by an η-doped polymer layer 124, a p-dopedpolymer layer 126, and a polymer gel electrolyte 128 positioned betweenthe electrodes. As light is converted to electrical power by the solarcell layer 122, this power is transported to the chip-on-boardcomponents 118 in the charge management system. The total thickness ofthe layered components shown in FIG. 13 is expected to be on the orderof approximately 2.0 mm.

It will be understood that the invention is not limited to theembodiments described above, it being apparent to those skilled in theart that various changes and modifications can be made without departingfrom the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:
 1. An integrated power source comprising: an all polymerbattery; and semiconductor circuitry integrated with the battery forimplementing power management functions.
 2. The integrated power sourceas recited in claim 1, wherein the semiconductor circuitry isimplemented using chip-on-board components.
 3. The integrated powersource as recited in claim 1, further comprising energy charging meansfor delivering electrical current to the battery.
 4. The integratedpower source as recited in claim 3, wherein the semiconductor circuitryincludes means for selecting between multiple energy charging means. 5.The integrated power source as recited in claim 3, wherein the battery,the semiconductor circuitry, and the energy charging means are laminatedtogether to form a laminate structure.
 6. The integrated power source asrecited in claim 5, further comprising applications electronicslaminated to the laminate structure.
 7. The integrated power source asrecited in claim 5, wherein the integrated power source is malleable forforming and functioning as different structural configurations.
 8. Theintegrated power source as recited in claim 7, further comprising a basestructure material.
 9. The integrated power source as recited in claim8, wherein the base structure material has a particular structuralconfiguration, the laminated battery, semiconductor circuitry, andenergy charging means being laminated to and assuming the configurationof the base structure material.
 10. An integrated power sourcecomprising: a rechargeable energy source; and power management meansintegrated with the energy source.
 11. The integrated power source asrecited in claim 10, further comprising means for recharging the energysource.
 12. The integrated power source as recited in claim 11, whereinthe power management means includes means for selecting between multiplerecharging means.
 13. The integrated power source as recited in claim11, wherein the rechargeable energy source is a fuel cell.
 14. Theintegrated power source as recited in claim 11, wherein the rechargeableenergy source is a battery.
 15. The integrated power source as recitedin claim 14, wherein the battery, the power management means, and therecharging means are laminated together to form a laminate structure.16. The integrated power source as recited in claim 15, furthercomprising applications electronics laminated to the laminate structure.17. The integrated power source as recited in claim 15, wherein theintegrated power source is malleable for forming different structuralconfigurations.
 18. The integrated power source as recited in claim 17,wherein the power management means includes means for regulating andmanaging the charge delivered to the battery.
 19. The integrated powersource as recited in claim 18, wherein the power management means isprogrammable.
 20. The integrated power source as recited in claim 19,wherein the power management means further includes a memory module forstoring, in digital format, data concerning operational characteristicsof the battery.
 21. The integrated power source as recited in claim 20,wherein the power management means can accommodate a range of voltageoutputs.
 22. The integrated power source as recited in claim 21, whereinthe power management means further includes means for matching theinternal impedance of the battery.
 23. The integrated power source asrecited in claim 22, wherein the power management means further includesmeans for protecting the battery against reverse polarity.
 24. Theintegrated power source as recited in claim 23, wherein the powermanagement means further includes a display connected to the regulatingthe charge means.
 25. The integrated power source as recited in claim24, wherein the recharging means comprises an array of solar cells. 26.The integrated power source as recited in claim 24, wherein therecharging means comprises an RF charging means.
 27. The integratedpower source as recited in claim 24, wherein the recharging meanscomprises a microwave charging means.
 28. The integrated power source asrecited in claim 24, wherein the recharging means comprises anelectrical generating charging means.
 29. An integrated power sourcecomprising: an all polymer battery, and power management meansintegrated with the battery; wherein the integrated power source ismalleable for forming different structural configurations.
 30. Theintegrated power source as recited in claim 29, further comprisingenergy charging means for delivering electrical current to the battery.31. The integrated power source as recited in claim 30, wherein thepower management means comprises means for selecting between multipleenergy charging means.
 32. The integrated power source as recited inclaim 31, wherein the power management means further comprises means forregulating and managing the charge delivered to the battery.
 33. Theintegrated power source as recited in claim 32, wherein the powermanagement means is programmable.
 34. The integrated power source asrecited in claim 33, wherein the power management means furthercomprises a memory module for storing, in digital format, dataconcerning operational characteristics of the battery.
 35. Theintegrated power source as recited in claim 34, wherein the powermanagement means can accommodate a range of voltage outputs.
 36. Theintegrated power source as recited in claim 35, wherein the powermanagement means further comprises means for matching the internalimpedance of the battery.
 37. The integrated power source as recited inclaim 36, wherein the power management means further comprises means forprotecting the battery against reverse polarity.
 38. The integratedpower source as recited in claim 37, wherein the power management meansis implemented using chip-on-board components.
 39. The integrated powersource as recited in claim 38, wherein the battery, the power managementmeans, and the energy charging means are laminated together to form alaminate structure.